Feank tucker



(No Model.)

P. TUCKER. GARMENT CLASP.

4 E 5 w m Attorney 8 arren S'rarns PATENT FRANK TUCKER, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR CF ONE-HALF TO CHAS. W. TUCKER, OF SAME PLACE.

GARi'iiENT CLAEP.

.zSPEGEFICATEQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 31 2,5419, dated March 2%, 1885.

Appliraiion filed Ju y 23, 1884. (X morzc To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK TUCKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massa chusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Garment-Clasps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to garment-elasps adapted to be used in connection with garters, sleeve and skirt supporters, and the like; and it has forits object to provide a device of this character which will be simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and efficient in use.

IVith these and other objects in view the said invention consists in cutting out a portion of one of the clamping-jaws of the clasp to provide a spring for the said jaws, and thus avoid the use of the coiled spring employed in the construction of all garment-clasps.

The said invention consists in certain details of construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter set forth, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of a shirt, collar, and scarf, showing my improved device applied in position. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of my improved clasp. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 4. is a transverse section on the line at m, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail view of the clamping-jaw having the spring formed therewith. Fig. 6 is a detail View illustrating my improved clasp with webbing attached thereto and adapted to be used as a supporter for hose, sleeves, skirts, and the like. Fig. 7 is a front view showing another method of applying the device.

Like letters are used to designate corrc sponding parts in the several figures.

Referring to the drawings, A B designate the clamping-jaws of my improved clasp, provided near their centers on each side with lugs or cars a b, the lugs a of the clampingjaw A being arranged between the lugs b of the other jaw, B, and a pivot-pin, C, connecting the said lugs or cars so as to pivot the jaws together. The forward ends of the jaws are provided with inwardly-turned flanges d e, the jaw 13 being longer than the other jaw, A, and thus the flange d will work over the other flange, 0, to catch in the goods and hold the partsin place. The jaw 13 is cut out or slotted longitudinally at Dto form a spring- 5 tongue, E, which is bent through the slot, and bears at its end against the inner face of the jaw A, at the rear end of the latter, so as to force the forward ends of the jaws together.

The operation of my invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the annexed drawings.

As shown in Fig. 1, the forward ends of the jaws, having the holding-flanges, are applied to the scarf to hold the band thereof to the collar and prevent the said scarf from slipping around to one side. Two or more of the clasps may be used, as found desirable.

As shown in Fig. 6, niyimproved clasp may be used for other purposes than the one which I consider the special adaptation of the device. The forward ends ofthe jaws may be provided with serrations or teeth to bite in the goods, while the rear ends are formed with loops F, for the attachment of the webbing G. As thus constructed the clasp may be adapted for use in garters, sleeve and skirt supporters, and the like, and will form an efficient device for the necessary purposes. It will be seen that 8c by forming the spring from a portion of one of the jaws, the material of which was heretofore wasted, I save the cost and trouble of adjusting the ordinary coiled spring, and provide a spring which will be efficient in every particular.

In operation, by pressing the rear ends of the jaws together the spring-tongue is compressed and works through the slot D, the free end bearing against one of the jaws, so go that when pressure is'relieved the forward ends, having the teeth or holding-flanges, will automatically close and bite against the goods to hold the clasp in position.

My improved clasp is simple in construc- 5 tion, can be manufactured at a very slight cost, is efficient in use, and may be adapted for various purposes, which it is not necessary to mention here. By forming the spring in the manner shown sufficient force is given to hold the jaws together, while I utilize the hitherto wasted portion of one of thejaws to form the spring, thereby reducing the cost of the clasp, simplifying the construction, and yet not affecting its operation in any particular.

As shown in Fig. 7, the clasp may be applied to hold the lower end of the neck tie or scarf to the shirt-plaits, the jaws of the clasp engaging, respectively, with the scarf and the bosom-plaits to prevent the scarf from working up and out over the collar.

Having described my invention, I claim As an improved article of manufacture, the

herein described garmentclasp, comprising the clamping-jaws pivoted together at or about their centers, one of said jaws being cut out to form an integral spring-tongue, which is bent downward and bears at its free end against the rear end of the other jaw, so as to force their forward ends together, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

E. J. HADLEY, J. F. PICKERING. 

